Lieutenant Governor, vacancy in office, require the office be filled by election in certain circumstances, constitutional amendment

SB 271 proposes amending Alabama's constitution to require that a vacant Lieutenant Governor position be filled by election if the vacancy occurs more than 60 days before a general election where state officers are chosen. Currently, the constitution only mandates election for both Governor and Lieutenant Governor vacancies occurring in that timeframe; this bill specifically adds the Lieutenant Governor position to that requirement. The change would ensure voters elect a Lieutenant Governor to serve the unexpired term during the next general election, rather than leaving the office vacant until the following term. This directly affects Alabama voters and election processes when a Lieutenant Governor vacancy happens in the specified window. The amendment would become part of the state constitution if approved by voters.